Throughout time, there’s been a persistent myth about the fountain of youth. Sure, we all know there’s no spring in Florida that will keep us young forever, but we still chase after pills, crèmes and anything else that will magically make us feel younger or live longer. Nothing can help us live forever or be ten years younger, but there are things you can do to help turn back the clock.
Stay on your diet. You may be on a diet to lose weight, but it has other benefits too. While carrying around extra pounds causes extra wear and tear on your system, a healthy diet also makes all your systems work right. If your organs are properly nourished, they’ll operate more efficiently and won’t get worn out as fast. It’s also a good idea to take a daily multivitamin. You might find other supplements beneficial; just be sure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients and not too much of the wrong ones.
Don’t forget your skin. An important part of feeling young is keeping your organs healthy. Well, your skin is the largest organ of your body. Having healthy skin can make you look younger, which in turn can make you feel younger. In addition to using anti-aging skin care products, be sure to eat a diet that helps improve skin quality. Good choices are fresh fruits and vegetables and foods rich in protein. Keep your skin (and the rest of your body) hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Get Exercise. Everyone’s heard the old adage “if you don’t use it you lose it”. Well, you’ve probably heard it so much because it’s true. Regular exercise keeps your body working properly. It can also strengthen your heart and help you lose excess pounds that are weighing you down. And remember, exercising your mind is just as important for staying young as exercising your body.
Feel good about getting old. It may seem silly, but people who have a positive view about getting older tend to live longer. Instead of worrying about how hard it will be to get around or do normal things, concentrate on the fun of retirement or other benefits to getting older.
Sure, there’s no fountain of youth, but taking small steps to stay healthy and keep yourself going will go a long way in helping you feel younger and live longer.
Filed under Anti-Aging, Health Talk, Women by on Dec 10th, 2006. 
Banana and Raisin Tea Cake
This is a sweet bread that can also be called a tea cake. It’s delicious spread with a little butter and all fruit jam.
3 oz melted unsaturated margarine
8 oz whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 oz brown sugar
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
3 oz raisins
2 eggs lightly beaten
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Dash of salt
Lightly grease a loaf tin and set aside. Melt the butter or margarine in a saucepan and set aside. Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Add the cinnamon. In a separate bowl mix the eggs, butter and sugar. Add butter mixture to flour mixture. Stir in raisins and mashed banana.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and bake at 350F for approximately 45 minutes or until golden and baked through. Turn over to wire rack to cool.
*Low fat
Filed under Desserts, Recipes by on Dec 10th, 2006.
Whole Wheat Spaghetti & Orange Brandy Chicken
This recipe takes about 30 minutes to make including prep time but it’s definitely worth it. It’s best with orange brandy but if you don’t have this white wine works great too. You can also use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs if you prefer.
5 tablespoons olive oil
4 Pieces of chicken thighs or chicken breast
½ cup orange brandy or white wine (brandy is excellent in this recipe)
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 cup orange juice
2 zucchinis cut into matchstick strips
1 red bell pepper, deseeded and cut into strips
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
2 oranges peeled, deseeded and cut into segments
Rind of one orange
Cooked whole wheat spaghetti for four
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat the olive oil in a non stick frying pan and add the chicken. Cook until golden brown on the outside. Lower the heat and add the orange brandy, cook for 3 minutes. Sprinkle over the flour and cook for a further 2 minutes. Then add the orange juice, zucchini, bell peppers and salt and season with a little salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and liquid has thickened.
While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the whole wheat spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and transfer to a serving dish. Slightly drizzle spaghetti with a little olive oil and set aside.
During the last 5 minutes of cooking the chicken, add the orange segments, orange rind and the ricotta cheese to the pan and cook on the lowest heat for 3 minutes. Do not bring to a boil.
Serve the chicken and sauce over the pasta and garnish with parsley.
*Low GI – Serves 4
Filed under Main Dish, Recipes by on Dec 11th, 2006.
We’ve all been told that cutting calories will help us lose weight; however, where your calories come from matters almost as much as how many you get. While low fat has always been toted as the best way to go, there are many other types of food that are helpful in losing weight as well.
Fresh, unprocessed foods
If you think about it, our bodies were designed to eat natural foods. Our digestive systems have evolved over many years; preservatives and artificial chemicals have existed for a comparatively short amount of time. The foods our bodies digest and use most efficiently are natural and unprocessed. This is why you should try eating fresh foods as much possible. It is also recommended that many of these foods be eaten raw because it preserves the healthy active enzymes in fruits and vegetables.
Dairy
Incorporating low fat dairy products into your diet helps you lose weight faster than just cutting calories. A good way to get enough dairy is through yogurt. Not only do they usually come in portioned controlled cups; yogurt also contains good bacteria that helps improve your overall health.
Low sugar
When you eat sugar, your body’s response is to immediately release insulin to lower your blood sugar levels. With high-sugar foods, your body can overreact to glucose levels and produce too much insulin. This lowers your blood sugar; making you hungry again much sooner than low sugar foods. Instead of sugary snacks, choose foods higher in protein and fiber. These foods absorb more slowly, making you feel full longer.
Spicy foods
When we eat foods that are really spicy, we tend to eat less. Some studies suggest that appetite suppression is due to capsaicin, a chemical found in many spicy foods. Others attribute this effect to strong flavor of these foods being less palatable.
While cutting calories and getting appropriate amounts of exercise are both important, incorporating some of these foods into your diet may just give you the boost you need to finally shed those extra pounds.
Filed under Health Talk, Weight Loss by on Dec 11th, 2006.
For years, we’ve been told that to lose weight, you should have a low calorie, low fat diet. Low-fat foods have been proclaimed to help prevent problems from heart disease to cancer. The truth is: little research can be cited to support these facts. The key isn’t to eat less fats, it’s to eat good fats. But how do we know which fats are bad and which are good? Here’s the skinny on the different types of fats.
Good Fats
Monounsaturated Fats. These are the best fats for you. Replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats has been shown to lower bad cholesterol without lowering good cholesterol. You can find these helpful fats in most nuts, canola, olive, and sesame oil, and in avocados.
Polyunstaurated Fats. These fats are still unsaturated, but not as good for you as monounsaturated fats. While they have been shown to lower bad cholesterol, they also tend to lower good cholesterol at the same time. These fats can be found in mayonnaise, walnuts, corn and soybean oil, and in salad dressings.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These are a special type of polyunsaturated fat found in high fat fish and other nuts. They not only have anti-inflammatory effects; they have also been shown to lower triglyceride levels and help prevent you from dying of a heart attack.
Bad Fats
Trans Fats. These fats, also known as hydrogenated fats, are man made fats. These were created to prolong shelf life of some foods. When looking for foods low in trans fat, be sure to check the ingredients list, not just proclamations on the box. When something says it has “no trans fat” that actually means it has less that .4 grams.
Saturated Fats. Even though they are natural fats, saturated fats have been linked to higher levels of bad cholesterol and certain types of cancer. Foods that contain saturated fat include: high fat meat and poultry, milk products, cheese and some oils. Check labels; companies are required to tell you how much saturated fat is in a product.
Fats aren’t all bad; they make food taste better, have a better texture, and can help us absorb certain vitamins. So when you’re trying to cut fat out of your diet, be sure to be selective. Choosing the right fats will not only help you lose weight, it can prevent certain diseases and cancers.
Filed under Health Talk, Healthy Eating by on Dec 11th, 2006.